Heading to Boston this Weekend with a group of friends...love the North End!

[thrilla05]

We are looking for great food, great wine, and a great atmospshere is always a plus! Doesn't have to be the North End. Also, looking for a moderately priced menu.

[Snoop37]

I loved Taranta when I went a couple months ago, but that is more on the expensive end of the spectrum.

[Wheels1]

PLEASE READ MY POST ON AL DENTE REST ( NORTH END ) YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7103...

[thrilla05]

What does everyone think about Lucca? I am very tough on Italian, I am a first Generation Italian-American and grew up on homemade Italian Food...I really want great italian food.

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Lucca Restaurant
226 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113

[hotoynoodle]

i think of lucca as more of a scene kinda place than a place to eat. it gets insanely loud and service is not all that professional. ambition of the menu seems better than the execution. great, if expensive, wine list.

for more traditional, i also like the original il panino, with that very cute patio. linguine with white clam sauce is great there.

taranta and prezzza are two of my faves also, but spendy.

[carneyvore]

Second L'Osteria. Had pleasant experience @ Euno on Salem St. too. Limoncello is ok in a pinch.

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L'Osteria
104 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

[pasuga]

Monica's - the Richmond St. restaurant, not their pizza place on Prince St.

[pollystyrene]

It's technically called Vinoteca di Monica to distinguish it from their other, more casual place. I agree this would fit the bill nicely. The food and atmosphere are much better than at all the similarly-priced NE restaurants I've been to.

If you're willing to spend more, then you can't beat Prezza or Mamma Maria.

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Vinoteca di Monica
143 Richmond St., Boston, MA 02109

Prezza
24 Fleet St., Boston, MA 02113

Mamma Maria Restaurant
3 North Sq, Boston, MA 02113

[Beachowolfe]

What Monica's pizza place are you referring to? The trattoria on Prince has white linen and no pizza on the menu unless something changed.

I agree that the Vinoteca is a great spot and will throw another "yes" behind Prezza and Taranta if you want to spend the money. It seems like mixed reviews here but Lucca has some great dishes and is definitely a fun scene.

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Prezza
24 Fleet St., Boston, MA 02113

Lucca Restaurant
226 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113

[RoyRon]

I would add Antico Forno and Rabia's both on Salem for mid priced Italian but if you want to go more upscale Prezza is the place to go.

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Prezza
24 Fleet St., Boston, MA 02113

Antico Forno
93 Salem Street, Boston, MA 02113

[Science Chick]

I found Antico Forno to be only *meh* when I went last fall. The pizza was doughy and tasteless, as were most of the dishes. The only standout was the linguine w/clams....which was MUCH better at L'Osteria.

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Antico Forno
93 Salem Street, Boston, MA 02113

L'Osteria
104 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

[pollystyrene]

I'd go as far as to say "blech" about Antico Forno.

[phonelady]

Lucca!

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Lucca Restaurant
226 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113

[Science Chick]

Try L'Osteria.....yummy food, good prices and nice atmosphere. We had a group there back in April and I was pleasantly surprised. Most moderately priced places in the NE I usually find pretty mediocre, but everyone enjoyed their meals and we had alot of fun. Warm staff, who were very accommodating of a 3 yr. old in our party.

[thrilla05]

I guess I should say, price is a concern but not at the top of the list. Food and Wine quality definitely very important

[Science Chick]

Ah, well there are certainly nicer places......Prezza is well regarded. We went to L'Osteria b/c our out-of-town guests wanted a more "traditional" red sauce experience with moderate prices. If you search the board for North End, you'll find many suggestions where price is not an issue.

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L'Osteria
104 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113